The Olympics and the spate of mothers as martyrs adverts

[GothAnneGeddes]

Considering there are plenty of mothers out there who have won Olympic medals, it would be nice for advertising to reflect that. Instead we get the "selfless living through her child" trope.

It's a little thing, but I do think it's another sign of the backlash.

[HandMadeTail]

Yes, annoyed the crap out of me, too.

Besides, my DD's should feel they can do what they want, and not just enable me to fulfil my ambitions through them.

[HandMadeTail]

DDs, not DD's!

[messyisthenewtidy]

Totally agree. Is driving me nutso.

[FiveRingsForDinner]

Meh - I'm a gullible sentimental sap then because I find them lovely. I relate to them as a mother and as a daughter. I can simultaneously have a fulfilled life myself, and exert myself beyond my limits to facilitate my DCs ambitions.

[akaemmafrost]

I don't see that with the one about the mother and her dd. That seems to me to about the constraints of her time rather than Mothers as Martyrs. It seems a positive message to me that we have moved and there are possibilities for her dd that were not available to her.

[rosy71]

I don't see that with the one about the mother and her dd. That seems to me to about the constraints of her time rather than Mothers as Martyrs. It seems a positive message to me that we have moved and there are possibilities for her dd that were not available to her.

I agree. I liked that one!

[yellowraincoat]

Just hammers home the message that women bring up the kids while dads do nothing.

What about a few of the adverts with dads as well? Grannies? Grandads? Carers? Aunties and uncles?

I grew up more in my gran's house than my mum and dad's. I'm sure it's the same for a lot of people.

[Cheriefroufrou]

I HATE the "I wondered if what was in me was in her" one so much!

never mind if you don't follow your dreams, just raise your kids and they might follow YOUR dreams for you!

[blackcurrants]

Ugh, when are they going to learn that is how you respectfully advertise to women and girls 'buy our sports shit.'

[SmellsLikeTeenStrop]

Any links to these adverts? I don't watch much TV you see.

[ChickensHaveNoLips]

I don't mind the mother/daughter one as I too thought it was an example of how her daughter now had choices that she didn't. It's a bit bitter sweet. But the one that twists my nipples is the one with the mother and son, where she seems to do nothing but his washing and then sob with happiness that all of her drudgery lets him be fast at running. That one makes me a bit stabby.

[HolofernesesHead]

Blackcurrants, that ad is fabulous. I love the last line, 'I just wanna play ball.' That says so much to me about what feminism is about.

[yellowraincoat]

blackcurrants, I LOVE that Nike advert. Thanks for sharing.

[24HourPARDyPerson]

I was on another forum where a few dads were giving out that the ad belittled their contribution.

So far, so valid.

Then they blamed feminism

[yellowraincoat]

Wow.

Those bastard feminists wanting all women to stay at home bringing up children.

[24HourPARDyPerson]

I hadn't the heart to get involved tbh.

I do find that ad heartwarming but then a mushy old softy.

[messyisthenewtidy]

That is what I just don't get 24. Why do people blame feminists for things that they are actually opposed to? Those dads don't like those ads cos they idealise motherhood. Feminists don't like them because they idealise motherhood. Why do they insist on seeing feminism as the enemy?

[24HourPARDyPerson]

I don't know.
There was a definite vibe of Wimmin getting it all their own way as usual.

It is odd because the answer to a lot of men's problems is More Feminism. But it's resisted - maybe because it's woman centred.

[ToffeePenny]

[ToffeePenny]

[Greenshadow]

P&G are actually putting their money where their mouth is and providing family lounges for athletes to get together with their families.

[messyisthenewtidy]

I would love for a spate of ads to come out idealising men's domestic prowess, showing them having orgasms over cleaning spray, and mocking women for being lazy buggers.

Because then I could get on with what I do best: being a lazy bugger